Chapter 848 Touching The Fruit
Selena guided him into the cave, which sunk into the ground on a semi-steep slope. Astaroth saw her change her feet to clawed feet, somewhere at a half-point between her normal tiger feet and her human ones, and thought of doing the same.
But he still hadn't called out White Death since they reconnected, and he somehow felt it wasn't the right time. Like his soul recognized that the wolf was doing something important, and couldn't be bothered for now.
So, instead, he used basic telekinesis to push his feet down on the ground, to augment his grip. It was uncomfortable, like he had someone stepping on his feet constantly, but it was better than slipping and possibly hurting himself.
They proceeded downward for a while, and Astaroth could now clearly feel the Aether veins that lay below the stone. But his question only grew as he felt two different veins, which should have joined together by all measures.
He could see the serpentine they did toward each other, yet they stayed apart.
As Astaroth analyzed the Ley lines, he didn't notice they had reached flat ground. It was only when Selena called out to him that he noticed.
"Sir. This way. If you keep going straight, you'll end up in my old lair. There is nothing there anymore, so it's pointless."
Astaroth nodded, turning toward her and following behind her once more.
"You made this cave your lair because you could protect the fruit? Or were here before it?" he asked.
Selena looked at him with confused eyes.
"How old do you think I am? Even I could tell this fruit was way older than me. I moved in here when I found it. I lived in another section of the forest before."
Astaroth pinched his lips, realizing his comment was misconstrued as an insult.
"I'm sorry if you felt I was calling you old. It's just, you can never know with powerful beasts and magic users…"
She waved her hand dismissively.
"Forget about it. We are here, anyway," she said, turning a corner.
Astaroth turned the corner behind her, and they entered a large alcove where a small tree grew, no bigger than a Bonzai. Although, no leaves remained on it, and a single, dried-up fruit hung from its branches.
But he could feel the residual Aether inside the core of the fruit.
Scanning it, his face morphed into a grin.
*Evolution fruit (unripe)*
Ripeness level: 98%
Status: Dried up (100%)
Description: This evolution fruit was close to reaching maturity when the source of its growth was wrenched from under the tree it grew on. It dried out over the last centuries and now requires a heavy influx of Aether to finish its growth. Eating it as is could cause severe damage to the essence of any living being.
**
Astaroth now understood why the fruit was still there. There was a chance that, at some point, another creature might have guarded the fruit when it was almost ripe. But seeing at the cusp of ripening, nothing would have jumped the gun.
But as the energy grew, it dissipated, and whatever creature that would have been guarding it would have realized it was weakening. And instead of taking a risk, they gave it up.
This was how it went undetected for so long. And Selena had been lucky to find it.
But even if she remained by its side forever, it would have never changed.
Astaroth stepped up to the fruit, slightly touching it, and injected a single point of Aether inside it. The moment he did, the fruit shook, and his system rang.
*Ding!*
Special event prompted: Revive the fruit!
Rewards: ???
You have stumbled upon a rare discovery in New Eden: a Fruit of Evolution! Congratulations! But this fruit is incomplete and requires an influx of power to finish developing. Your injection of Aether into the fruit has rekindled its instincts of survival. Will you help it grow?
Yes / No
**
Astaroth looked at the prompt and felt a hand clench onto his shoulder.
"Sir. I don't know what you did, but I felt the fruit react. I beg you. Please. If you make this fruit ripen and let me consume it, I will swear my allegiance to you and the kingdom forever!"
He could see the seriousness in her gaze and the flashes of greed when she glanced at the fruit.
"I can't guarantee the fruit will go to you without more than just a promise of loyalty. Swear allegiance now, and the fruit is yours. Otherwise, this deal is off the table, and I'll feed it to another being. Or I can eat it myself," Astaroth said, locking his eyes into hers.
He saw a flash of rage go through her gaze, but she quickly became subdued.
Kneeling on the stone ground, Selena lowered her head and put her hand above her head.
"I, Selena Catz, White Tiger of the East, swear allegiance to King Astaroth, ruler of Stellar Woodlands and the aforementioned kingdom. May the gods be my witnesses and punish me should I betray my word."
Though no cloud dotted its skies, thunder rumbled over the Elven forest. People with knowledge of pledges to the gods instantly recognized the sign.
Inside Bastion City's palace, Leon felt his tether with Selena shift away from him, and his face turned to a frown. When he heard the thunder rumbling, his eyes widened.
"He got her to pledge to him? No way… I thought that tiger was way too stubborn to pledge to a mortal… Something is up…" Leon mumbled to himself.
Astaroth felt the connection establish itself, and he smiled.
Tapping yes on the quest window, Astaroth helped the Beastwoman up.
"I require nothing more from you than this. I will gladly honour this promise," he claimed, putting his hand on the fruit again.
He pumped every single Aether point he could muster inside the fruit, which was a grand total of a hundred, and the fruit suddenly cracked before shining in a bright white light.
A burst of mist shot out into the cavern with the crack and the light, filling it with a sweet and tangy scent.
Astaroth received another notification, and his face dropped.
"Fuck…"
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